From a Poynter interview with Randi Rossmann—her husband hoped she’d retire from The (Santa Rosa, California) Press Democrat in September. After 38 years of covering breaking news at her hometown paper, it was time. But Rossmann wanted to stay and help out through one more fire season.
Rossmann has a few pieces of advice to young reporters.
First – You have to understand human nature. What makes people tick? Why are they willing to talk to you? Figuring that out will get people to open up and offer insights into their motivation, she said.
Second – the context matters more than the sound bite. It’s great to get a good quote, she said, but what’s said before and after that good quote is essential.
“Don’t just do something. Stand there!”